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Articles by Sergei Kochkin

In part four of our MarkeTrak VIII series, Dr. Kochkin explores patient-reported benefits and improvements in quality of life as a result of hearing aid usage and implentation of best practices by professionals.

Analysis of MarkeTrak survey data shows that people in the work force with untreated hearing loss typically have annual incomes tens of thousands of dollars below those with normal hearing. But those data also show that hearing aids cut that income gap by anywhere from 65% to 100%, depending on the degree of hearing loss

Based on more than 3000 responses from hearing aid wearers to the eighth MarkeTrak survey, Better Hearing Institute Executive Director Dr. Sergei Kochkin determined that 74% of hearing instrument users in 2008 were satisfied with their fittings. That was significantly higher than the 68% satisfaction rate found by MarkeTrak VII in 2004 and the best ever recorded.

Despite great advances in hearing aid technology, the latest MarkeTrak study finds that significantly increasing the utilization of amplification requires other advances as well. These include raising awareness by consumers of their hearing loss and its impact on their lives and spreading the realization that existing solutions are effective and offer good value.

There was good news on the satisfaction front, as the latest MarkeTrak survey found that 85% of consumers were satisfied with how hearing aids improved their hearing and 92% were satisfied with their hearing healthcare professionals.

A scientific study has shown that when dispensers use the Better Hearing Institute program to educate physicians about hearing impairment, the results include more physician referrals of patients, increased access to hearing loss solutions, and increased sales of hearing aids.

The new executive director of the Better Hearing Institute opens a dialogue with hearing professionals. His goal: to find ways for the hearing care community to work together in bringing the gift of better hearing to the nearly 30 million Americans who need our help.